In a cozy little cottage, nestled beside a whispering wood, lived a kind young girl. Her parents were gone, so she lived with her godmother, who loved her very much.

One day, the godmother, feeling old and tired, called the girl to her side. "My dear," she said, "I don't have much to leave you. But take this spindle, this shuttle, and this needle. Use them well, and they will bring you good fortune."

Soon after, the good godmother closed her eyes for the last time. The girl was sad, but she remembered her godmother's words. She was a very good spinner, and with the spindle, she spun the fluffiest thread. With the shuttle, she wove the softest cloth. And with the needle, she sewed the neatest stitches. She made a simple living, and everyone in the village admired her work.

Now, it happened that the young prince of the land was looking for a bride. He announced, "I will marry the girl who is both the poorest and, at the same time, the richest!"

When the girl heard this, she thought about it. "Poorest and richest? How can that be?"

Just then, as she was spinning, the spindle suddenly said, "Don't worry, I'll help!" And Zing! It jumped right out of her hand. It danced out the door, unrolling a shimmering thread of gold behind it, all by itself! "Oh my!" cried the girl, and she followed the golden thread.

The spindle led her on and on, until the thread ran out. She looked around and saw her shuttle. "My turn!" chirped the shuttle. Zip! It leaped from her basket and began to weave. It wove a carpet more beautiful than any king had ever seen, with patterns of flowers and stars, right there on the path. The girl watched in amazement as the shuttle worked, then she followed where it seemed to point.

The shuttle led her to her own little cottage. As she stood there, wondering what to do next, the needle in her pocket wiggled. "Now it's my time to shine!" it sang. Boing! It sprang from her pocket and began to sew and stitch. It decorated the chairs with lovely patterns, made new curtains for the windows, and covered the table with a cloth embroidered with sparkling dewdrops. In a flash, her humble cottage looked fit for a princess!

Just then, the prince, who had seen the golden thread from his castle window, followed it. He marveled at the beautiful carpet on the path. And then, he came to the little cottage, now looking so splendid. He saw the girl standing there, simply dressed but with a kind smile.

"You," said the prince, "you must be the one! This golden thread, this magnificent carpet, this wonderfully decorated house... they show such richness of skill! Yet you live so simply. You are indeed the poorest, and also the richest!"

The girl smiled. The prince asked her to be his wife, and she happily said yes. They had a grand wedding, and the spindle, the shuttle, and the needle were placed in the royal treasury, honored for the magic and happiness they had brought. And the girl, now a princess, always remembered to be kind and to use her skills wisely.

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